Saturday morning dawned a nice day and our parents had shorts on so it was going to be warm! We spent most of the day on different parts of the Exeter Ship Canal between Countess Weare and the Turf Locks (yes – that is a pub!). When we left the site, I was a bit unhappy that they hadn’t brought Sydney and my Dad said that I looked sad (I don’t know how I am supposed to look any different to be honest!). They thought it might be a good idea to put me on my stand on the back seat while Dad was able to have both hands free to deal with Phoebe! Well, they should have asked me first. I knew that Phoebe was going to be as good as gold so before we were actually off the site, I flew from the back to the front of the car and landed on my Dad’s hand saying, “clever boy”. That was the last time they put me in the back of the car!!! The whole day was a learning experience for all of us but mainly for Phoebe. Phoebe was exceptionally good the whole day long and soon got used to travelling on our Dad’s shoulder in the car. She had her vest on which helped to protect her from the sun and was always a talking point with the people we met. The landlord of the Turf Locks remembered them having 2 Amazons last time and came outside to meet Phoebe. Me and Sydney were once put on their website!
Saturday evening - a Major event for Phoebe. Yes on the evening of Saturday 28/5/11 our parrents removed Phoebe's collar - at last! She was soooooo pleased and although her breast feathers will probably never grow due to follicle damage, she has grown a host of new feathers on her back so it was not all a complete waste of time. Our parrents kept up her painkillers for another 2 days in case she had neck ache but then stopped altogether. Phoebe didn't show any signs either positive or negative about the removal - she was just her usual forgiving self, bless her!
Sunday we had to go and collect a large Parrot stand that Dad had won on eBay and Phoebe was in the mood for eating her harness! She broke 2 of the clips and Mum had to come back to the caravan to do a quick repair job. In the afternoon we just walked up to the golf club for a few beers (the theme of this holiday was aleady beginning to take shape!!!).
Monday was the only day of the week where there was a question mark over the weather and there were a few showers. At first Phoebe was scared of the Umbrella but I told her not to worry and she soon got used to it. We went to Teignmouth where our parrents were drawn, once again, to the Charity Shops. In one, our Mum found a nice strong laundry basket so she bought that and we had to take it back to the car. While at Teignmouth we introduced Phoebe to the trains along the sea wall. Dad said she would be frightened but I had already told her that if she listened for the railway tracks “whispering”, she would know there was a train coming and not to be startled. This worked and she didn’t once flinch! Monday was unusual – our parrents never went to a pub!!!
Tuesday was a really exciting day at Exmouth! We had to go into the market as Dad wanted a couple of ferrules for his walking stick and knew there was a good place in the Market. We also went to see our friends in the charity shops, buying another caravan sheet for Mum & Dad. On Dad’s cape (to keep his shirt clean from Phoebe’s droppings, Phoebe kept slipping so our parents thought some towelling ones would be better to they also bought some towels for Mum to cut up for Dad & Phoebe. While we walked around someone asked if our parrents were the people with the Cockatoo yesterday. They said they weren’t, of course, but they then thought there was someone else in Exmouth walking around with a parrot on his shoulder. Very soon a lady came up for a chat and said it was her husband. Like our parrents, they had a caravan and brought their Mollucan Cockatoo and African Grey with them. In the park Bay FM were broadcasting but they didn’t see us or want us on their programme. We had lunch in the park and were just leaving when this bloke on a bike appeared with a Cockatoo on his shoulder and an African Grey on his handlebars. We stopped to chat and then his wife came along and we all had a long chat about taking parrots on holiday! In the afternoon we had some Ice Cream (I know! Naughty but Nice!!!).
Wednesday our parrents got up late and also did a cooked breakfast (yummie!). When we eventually went out we went to Tiverton. We first went to the Canal and took the short trip to the Aqueduct over the old railway then went back to the car and had lunch by the canal. There were lots of families of Ducks and Swans on the canal. After lunch we went to see some good friends of our parrents in Tiverton at their house beside the canal. While we were there a mother Duck led all her 7 ducklings up on to the grass and then covered them all with her wings to keep them warm. Wednesday was another day with no pub visit!!!
Thursday was Dawlish and Starcross day. We stopped at Starcross to visit our friends in the charity shop where Mum got some shorts and Dad got a book about David Cameron. The ladies in the shop remembered Sydney but were happy to see Phoebe instead and by this time I was used to being on holiday with Phoebe. Even the post lady stopped for a chat about me & Phoebe which dad said was unusual as she had to keep up an average speed of 4MPH!!! While there, there was a walking group who all stopped to take photographs (I told Phoebe to stand on top of Dad’s head so she didn’t have to share the photo with his face but she didn’t!) Then we went to Dawlish and had lunch by the river and the Black Swans. In the afternoon we stopped to say hello to the man in the tea bar and we did, of course, end up in a pub at Dawlish Warren. We had all the staff come out one by one to see us and then the Manageress came and asked if she could take a photo for their website. Of course this was fine and Phoebe and me both posed for the camera!
Friday was Topsham day where we saw some old friends and met some new ones. Our parents love Topsham and Dad keeps trying to get Mum to go back on the ferry but after she slipped off the gangplank and ended up neck deep in mud she hasn’t wanted to go near it! That suits me too because I’m not too keen on boats either!
Well Saturday was lunch at Doublelocks (yes! You’ve got it – another pub!). While sat there, there was a steam train being hauled by a diesel which was a bit disappointing. Our parrents found out that there was another steam train on Sunday morning as well. After lunch we went to see the lady in The Ark where Oscar came from and then went back to load the cages and stand in the car and take the awning down. After we’d done all this we went to see the return of the steam train but again it was diesel hauled as the Steam loco kept starting lineside fires.
Sunday morning was a long lie in for our parrents and it was also going home day. We went to see Sunday’s steam train which, today was steam hauled, and then we had to leave for home. I travelled in my cage but our parrents decided as Phoebe had been so good all week, she could travel on dad’s shoulder in the car while Mum had a go at towing. Don’t tell her, but Dad said she did very well – better than in the past!
Well I’m sorry this is such a long blog but I had sooooo much to tell you about!!!